Prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection in Iran: a review article

Hepatitis B virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide. Islamic Republic of Iran is a country in which hepatitis B prevalence is intermediate. The aim of this study is to assess prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection in Iran according to demographic characteristics. All cross-sectional studies concerning prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection in Iran were included irrespective of date and language. The outcome of interest was prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection confirmed by blood specimen positive for HBsAg. The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection was estimated about 1.7% or lower in general population; 0.8% (95% CI: 0.6% to 0.9%) in blood donors and 3.2% (95% CI: 2.3% to 4.1%) in intravenous drug users and varied from zero to 1.5% in beta thalassemic patients. Since mass vaccination in 1993, prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection has being reduced among children and adolescents. This reduction can be attributed to the effectiveness of the national immunization program and it may impact on reduction of prevalence of hepatitis B infection in general population.